Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, August 18, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT saw her 3 race winning streak snapped last week, but it took a big effort (from a sharp winner) to make that happen – she goes for a new barn tonight, and has a real chance to start a new streak. (1) ALWAYS B LAYLA was in a couple of pretty tough spots after graduating from our “NWPM” class then took a couple of months off – qualified back effectively, and should fit nicely at this $20K level. (8) BOUT DAMN TIME A gave way and folded after being used to make the lead from Post 8 last week but may have an easier time blasting out of there tonight – she was quickly reclaimed for the barn she jogged for 2 starts back, and looks very tempting with that 20-1 ML price. (2) ONEDERFULBEACH feels quite a bit off her best game but she’s still a candidate for a decent piece vs. these, starting from an inside slot. (5) MILAGRO was a no threat 4th last week – maybe minor spoils? (6) ADALECIA seems better suited for cheaper, even if she did win a start here earlier this year. (4) JIVE DANCING A has just been off form for too long to consider right now. (7) PURAMERI has a dismal Yonkers record and starts from7 – would certainly be a surprise.

RACE 2 – (5) SURVIVIN FIRE may be worth a try tonight – she almost always finishes up full of pace (even vs. arguably better than these), and may get a hotly contested pace in front of her tonight – chance to pull off an upset. (6) OVER ICE had been racing well in a bunch of starts without the benefit of a victory but finally got over the hump last week, winning easily off a perfect trip – a repeat is not out of the question. (3) TH RIZZO won twice for $20K off the claim and handled last week’s leap up to 50s nicely, 2nd best behind #6 – can be in the hunt here too. (2) MADDIES DELIGHT just acted like she didn’t want to be out there last week, missing the start and lagging all the way after that – she does drop right back in the box, so maybe it was just a minor issue…would still need a good price to consider on top (off that last (non) effort. (8) MC ANGEL was able to rally for a minor share from Post 8 last week and may be able to do the same tonight, after another horrendous draw. (1) ISLAND BOUHINIA A turned in a huge mile in that win 2 back but lacked a 2nd move last week after shaking free in the stretch (from behind a tired leader) – not sure what to expect here. (4) KATIES UP was very sharp in her YR return but that was vs. 20s, and that was a month ago – risky proposition here. (7) EARTH ANGEL turned in a much improved effort last week but tonight’s draw does figure to limit her opportunities

RACE 3 – (4) IDEALINFUN has taken 3 of her last 4 with the only loss coming to the also-streaking FIGHT NOT FLIGHT – moves to another top barn for tonight and is expected to continue her fine form. (1) DISARONNO HILL always figures, but has burned her share of $$ this year (just 4 wins, compared to 7 seconds) – remains a logical threat, but be careful about taking a short price on top. (2) TWO BEAN DREAM has proven she’s an excellent fit with these but she’s also made just one start in almost 6 weeks – she does add Lasix, and she can be a big part of the equation IF she’s wound tight enough. (5) BIG CITY DAISY hasn’t clicked in her two starts since the claim but the ability IS there, if she decides to put all back together tonight – ok for longshot fans. (3) PINE BUSH MAGA is still winless on the year but collects enough smaller pieces to at least consider for 3rd/4th. (6) RACIN FOR ROYALTY is eligible to rally for a small piece but definitely does her most damage when drawn inside. (7) IRIS SEELSTER figures to be too far back to threaten. (8) EVELYNA ITIS draws Post 8 after a pair of no-factor 5th place finishes

RACE 4 – (6) KEAYANG TACO A has tailed off from the outstanding form he showed for several starts after arriving at Yonkers but he’s getting significant class relief for tonight, and that could be just what the doctor ordered – good week to give him a try. (4) SANTANA HANOVER was 4-0-0-0 here earlier this year but he returns from PA in very good form, and has enjoyed success here in the past – feels like a spot where he can do some damage. (1) COALFORD TOPGUY GB doesn’t look bad on paper right now, but he’s definitely not as sharp as he was for a long time this season – still has to be considered a legitimate threat from the pole tonight. (8) THE GREEK FREAK is another trying to get back to his best game, and last week may have been a step in the right direction – faces the possibility of a pretty tough trip from out here, though. (3) ITS A ME MARIO is now 0 for 8 in 2026, and still trying to find his game after returning from a long layoff– at least his price has started to come up after disappointing in several starts, at low odds. (2) GINGRAS BEACH wasn’t a bad 2nd last week and could grab another piece if the trip is easy enough. (5) HP MOMENTUM is doing some better work lately, though tonight’s class jump may slow him back down again. (7) CAVIART SARGENT rarely wins, but never a bad bomb for 3rd/4th

RACE 5 – (1) SEEYALATERHATER was well backed for his career debut (at Tioga), was forced to make a big move into the fastest part of the mile but sustained his energy right to the wire, even if unable to get by the 1/5 winner (as the two left the others far behind) – meets nothing scary for his Yonkers debut as deserves top billing. (2) ADONIS BLUE CHIP was solid off the barn change last week, finding a spot in 3rd from Post 8 and chasing well all the way – logical threat for another nice chunk tonight (moving inside). (6) HE IS STINGIN raced well in his first YR start of the year, finishing with good pace off an easy trip – could be looking at a tougher journey tonight, and we’ll see if he’s up for it. (8) SWEET JOEL left well from Post 7 last week, found the pocket and chased the odds on winner all the way – will need some racing luck at the start if he hopes to contend for another good piece tonight. (3) CALVIN HANOVER raced better in his local debut than in the 2 PA starts just prior to that – minor spoils? (7) PER FECT CABERNET broke before the start in his only local try then took a few weeks off and re-qualified – guessing he’ll be handled conservatively tonight. (5) OZZIES CRAZY TRAIN has failed to hit board in 6 local starts. (4) ED GAR HANOVER is just 1 for 25 lifetime and racing off a sick scratch for his local debut.

RACE 6 – (8) CORVETTE STINGRAY was buried in the Tompkins last start (in a 1:47.3 mile) but he won back to back starts in NJ just prior to that (as the favorite), after finishing 2nd to the talented APOCALYPSEBLUECHIP the start before that – legitimate chance to win his local debut, even from Post 8. (6) JOHNNY LINCOLN N won 3 straight in NZ this winter and even picked up a 3rd in a Group 2 event – his US qualifier (at Pocono) was excellent, finishing full of pace to be right there with the talented SAY GOODNIGHT on the wire – pretty sure he’s not going off at 10-1 here. (2) YANKEE BREW was helped last week when the leader gave way without much fight but that doesn’t mean that THIS guy still wasn’t very good – solid chance for a good piece with the inside draw. (1) REINC ARNATED had a tougher trip in a tough field for his 2nd local start and couldn’t deliver as the favorite – likely looking at a smaller share here too. (4) DARKNSTORMY DEO rebounded with a much better try last week after disappointing the start before – license to grab a minor share. (5) LOUMELLO BALL makes his local debut showing some dull PcD form – prefer to watch, for now. (7) GEORGES WISH has done good work so far at YR but tonight’s draw will be tough to overcome.

RACE 7 – (4) BOSTON BOUND got through a recent rough patch and picked up a win and pair of 2nds before being a bit overmatched last week – he fits perfectly here, and looms a solid threat. (5) MAJOR HOTHOOVES N had no prayer in his only local try (8 hole) but he returns to a kinder draw in a modest field – could have a big say this time. (2) SPECULATING A was no factor last week but wasn’t bad, either – he can win races when in the right spot, and he does have at least a chance at an upset tonight. (3) MACS MARVEL was sharp when he beat easier 3 back but just hasn’t had enough of those efforts recently – would need a good price to consider. (6) HAMMERING HANK could be a player with these from a better spot, but tonight’s draw could make it tough for him to overcome. (7) IMA PERFECT CHOICE hadn’t been looking too good, and just had to re-qualify after back to back miscues – guessing he’ll be handled pretty conservatively tonight. (1) ALWAYS BET ON ME draws the pole, but hasn’t been all that sharp lately vs. easier

RACE 8 – (4) SMOOTH DREAM added Lasix for his last start but it’s hard to gauge how much it helped, since he was stuck chasing BEST CHIP’s 1:46.1 mile (fastest mile of Hambletonian Day) – he’s trying to get his 4YO season in gear after going 9 for 10 at 3, including a Yonkers win (vs. older horses) – feels like he landed in a good spot. (3) ALWAYS A THRILL hasn’t been on his best game lately but he was an “ok” 3rd last week, and may be ready for a bigger effort. (7) TH COLBY showed his 7 hole victory 2 back was no fluke when he went a BIG 8 hole effort for 2nd to the stickout STAR CASINO N last week – wouldn’t dismiss him too quickly tonight, either. (2) ORLANDO BLUE A steps up another notch after 2 straight wins and a good trip could help him grab a piece here too. (6) LYON S FRANKY J had a few good starts upon arrival at Yonkers but took no $$ last week and was never close – tough draw here too. (1) ROYAL DESIRE drops a notch and draws the pole, but may still be looking at only a small piece. (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF raced well with good trips vs. cheaper 2 and 3 back, but this spot feels a bit too tough

RACE 9 – (4) NEVERSTOPDREAMIN N earned over $800K Down Under but his U.S. career was off to an inauspicious start when he was scratched lame at Pocono on 3/14 – he took 4 months off, re-qualified, and seems ready to do some damage after a pair of NJ starts. (6) STAR CASINO N has proven to be a fine acquisition, and continues to get sharper every week– can be a major threat with any half-decent trip. (1) DUNKIN hasn’t looked too sporty in a few of his starts (since returning from a long layoff) but the classy veteran still tries very hard – wouldn’t count him out too quickly from this spot. (3) PLAY ACTION PASS was a sharp front end winner in his 2nd local try and should be able to make his presence felt here too – not sure he should be the 9/5 ML favorite, though. (5) HUNT ING ZONE won 10 races last year, somewhat of a surprise since he’s always been camera shy at Yonkers – would need a big price to consider on top. (7) UDDERLY SWEET A has been solid in his last few starts, but lands a brutal spot for tonight. (2) BET ON BIG JOE has just 1 start in 7 weeks and it wasn’t a good one.